VPRS 7591 Wills

Full description

A Will is a legal document that sets out the instructions of a person in relation to the distribution of his or her property after their death. The Will usually names one or more persons to carry out the wishes and directions in relation to the estate, this person is called the executor. The term executrix was historically used for women executors. The estate can only be dealt with after the Will has been approved by the Registrar of Probates. This approval is called the Grant of Probate and the document giving the approval is called the Probate. See VPRS 28 Probate and Administration Files and VPRS 7592 Wills and Probate and Administration Files for more information.

Until around 1922, Wills were copied by transcription. When records were first transferred from the Probate Office, the original wills were retained and the volumes of transcribed wills were transferred as VPRS 27 Transcriptions of Wills [Also Known As Register of Wills].

Under the Administration and Probate Act 1958, a Will may be deposited in the Office of the Registrar at any time for safe keeping. This series only includes Wills that have been been approved through Probate. Wills that have not gone through Probate are generally held by the Office of the Registrar until they are needed. Unapproved Wills may also be held by a legal practitioner, or, if the legal practitioner is no longer practising, the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner.